Tuesday, 23 December 2014

60 drumbeats, dance steps for culture advocate, Ben Tomoloju

By Anote Ajeluorou

Last Friday at the amphi-theatre at Freedom Park, Lagos,
dancers and drummers held audience spellbound with vigorous dances and
drumming. It was so intense that the celebrant, Mr. Ben Tomoloju, could not
help himself as he went on stage to also show that he was at home with the
dance medium as a form of artistic expression being held in his honour art his
60th birthday celebration. On the bill were several groups led by Guild of Nigerian
Dancers, Ijodee dance Group, Sight and Sound, Footprints of David, MJ groups
and Dogumbas.

Although many dance
groups performed, it was Sight and Sound and Ibadan-based ballerina dance group,
MJ Groove that obviously stole the show in the unusual dexterity of their
drumming and dancing. Sight and Sound was unusual in every department. First was
their costume- a blend of red and white as if they were worshippers in a
shrine. Sound and Sight has complete music set, but with drums are giant-sized
as well to lend ample rhythm to their performance.

Perhaps, more
significantly were the three young women that make up the group, who are not
just mere dancers as is often the case with most groups. The three women
drummers drummed with such energy and style and possessed so much expertise that
they inspired with their act. They weave a tapestry of drumming pattern that
was stunning. Both on the big drums in choreographed rhythms or the use of
pestle and mortar to create syncopated rhythms of beating either pepper or
millet or with beaded calabashes, the girls drummed with such fanfare.

In fact, there was
something sexy about their drumming and wooing smiles that the audience wanted
more from them. Sight and Sound’s ability to transit from one drumming pattern
to another was its big advantage; from the kakaki
horn, on the guitar or the jazz drums or the big African drums, Sight and
Sound stunned the audience with its enchanting drumming performance.

Dogumba group, a
hunter dance group, also came on, but the group’s performance was shallow for
hunters wielding guns and shooting them. When the four-man piece with one
female among them came on stage with a decorated pot of charms, there was some
expectation that they would give Sight and Sound a run for its performance. But
progressively, it fell far behind.

But then came on MJ
Groove, a boy and a girl group, doing European ballerina. Such performances
often don’t live to hype for a lack of that magical flare. But the duo turned
out a marvel on stage as they glided effortlessly, heaved each other up and
down in response to the music with perfect aplomb. They told a unique story
with their performance, of a tragedy and pain, even kidnap, rescue and finally
of triumph and celebration. Indeed, the sheer sublimity of their dance was such
they had the loudest applause.

Perhaps, more
disappointing was established Ijodee Dance Group. There just wasn’t a pattern
to their performance. The group possibly needs to start reinventing itself; it
cannot live on past glory as last Friday’s performance obviously showed. It was
lethargic performance with no innovation whatsoever. Crown Troupe of Africa’s one-man
performance rescued the audience from boredom. It’s one-man act also told a
story, Africa’s story of pain and under-development and the attendant suffering
of her peoples, who need redemption. It was heart-wrenching performance.

Although Shelter
group was called, it didn’t perform as Tomoloju and all dancers were invited on
stage. They honoured their mentor with a dance. Former editor of The Guardian on Sunday, Mr. Jahman
Anikulapo, also joined in and showed that he is as much an actor as well as the
meritorious journalist that he was.

Tomoloju confessed
to having had real fun dancing on stage with those whose lives was wedded to
the stage. He said what was offered the audience in celebrating him was “a
whole collage of dance and artistic experience”, and noted that it would be
immodest of him to claim all the accolades alone.